Marywood University Dedicates Tree to Honor the Conaboy Family Marywood University dedicated a tree at the pathway to the Learning Commons, in honor of The Judge Richard P. and Marion Conaboy Family on Tuesday, October 21, 2020. With the Conaboy Family in attendance, the tree was blessed and a plaque unveiled to commemorate the occasion. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University said, “We have planted this tree for the glory of God, to honor the Judge Richard P. and Marion Conaboy Family, and to remember all the joy and beauty that they themselves have brought to the campus of Marywood University.” Recently, Marywood University held its first ever Virtual Community Leadership Celebration (CLC), honoring The Judge Richard P. and Marion Conaboy Family. Marywood Joined the honorees in saluting Marywood students, alumni, and community members working on the front lines.
Wayne Bank Thanks Frontline Heroes Earlier this year, Wayne Bank launched an initiative to show support and gratitude to healthcare workers and first responders for the essential services they have provided amid this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. Community Offices throughout Wayne Bank’s market area provided these frontline workers with lunch from local restaurants as a way to show appreciation for their service, while also helping to support the restaurant industry. The initiative is scheduled to continue through the end of the year. Lewis J. Critelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank stated, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, Officers, and employees of Wayne Bank, we sincerely thank all of the brave healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers on the frontlines. Their dedication, commitment, and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration.” Some of the essential workers included in the initiative thus far were the Clarks Summit, PA Police Department; the Delaware County, NY Emergency Response 911 team; Jo’s Outreach Food Pantry in East Stroudsburg, PA; Lake Regent Urgent Care in Honesdale, PA; the Milford, PA Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Station; Oncology Associates of Kingston, PA; the Pleasant Valley, PA Ecumenical Network Food Bank; the Shohola Township, PA Volunteer Fire Department; the Sullivan County, NY 911 First Responders; and the Town of Hancock, NY Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
Wright Center for Community Health Receives $1.75 Million Grant The Wright Center for Community Health recently received a pair of grants from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to help establish a primary care practice in the city’s South Side neighborhood to treat previously underserved patients. The two grants, totaling $1.75 million, supported the startup of the practice at 501 S. Washington Ave., which offers patients a single location to access comprehensive primary care services, including medical, behavioral and dental care and addiction/recovery services. The practice opened to patients in early December. The site also serves as a hub for The Wright Center’s administrative and graduate medical education activities. The Weinberg Foundation awarded a $950,000 capital grant to assist in converting the site, a former warehouse, into a clinical primary care space with 30 exam rooms. Six of the exam rooms are dedicated to infectious disease care and the practice also houses four dental operatories. This grant also covered medical equipment, such as ultrasound machines, EKGs and AEDs, and other office necessities. Simultaneously, the Weinberg Foundation provided an operating grant of $800,000 to be used over two years to support much-needed healthcare provider positions, including a pediatrician, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, a dentist and a psychiatrist. The new practice is expected to annually treat more than 7,000 patients, including underinsured, uninsured and low-income individuals, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. The Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private charitable foundations in the United States, is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty. In 2020, the Foundation will provide approximately $130 million in grant activity supporting nonprofits, primarily in the US and Israel, which provide direct services in the areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, and Community Services. Grants support organizations that serve a range of populations, including older adults, women at risk and their children, people with disabilities, and veterans, as well as the Jewish community. Northeast Pennsylvania is one of the foundation’s “priority communities.” The foundation’s prior support has enabled The Wright Center to enhance the oral care clinic at its Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, and to expand its school-based health center program. Grant funding also allowed The Wright Center for Community Health to successfully attain designation last year as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike. The Scranton Practice is open Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made by calling 570-941-0630.
The Women’s Resource Center Announces Receipt of $12,000 Grant The Women’s Resource Center is excited to announce receipt of a $12,000 grant from The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. WRC provides rental assistance and collaborates with our community partners to provide housing for families in crisis. However, there are a multitude of unique needs that every family has that once provided would enable them to obtain financial self-sufficiency. Economic abuse, which is more common than physical abuse, can leave a survivor with their entire financial support structure disintegrated and often leads to job loss. WRC Advocates will rely on support from this contribution to be able to work with each family to provide resources and information to assist them in obtaining their GED, enrolling in a job-training program, entering college or a trade school, and/or securing employment. The funds also will be designated to the following areas: Rent and/or security deposits, replacement of furnishings, clothing, small household items, phone minutes, and license/registration fees Textbooks, school materials, laptops, and other necessary learning materials. School/work apparel, transportation to school/work, childcare, tuition, GED expenses, and other school-related fees. Veterinary services, kenneling, and pet food & supplies for program participant pets so that they do not have to be left behind. “Poverty limits the choices and resources available to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Only through comprehensive services that focus on the whole person can the community break the intergenerational cycle of violence and poverty for children, teens, and young adults,” said Peg Ruddy, Executive Director, Women’s Resource Center. A huge thank you to the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for making this grant possible.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Donation of Power Lift Recliners Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received a generous donation of ten UltraComfort America UC556 power lift recliners in Brisa Fresco fabric. UltraComfort is a family owned and operated business headquartered in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. “These precision crafted power lift recliners will make beautiful and functional additions to all ten patient rooms at our Inpatient Unit in Dunmore. We are tremendously grateful to our friends at UltraComfort for their generosity,” said Diane Baldi, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through the end of life journey. “Hospice of the Sacred Heart provides so many families in our area with quality care and services during a difficult time,” stated Rich Golden, CEO. “UltraComfort is honored to support their mission of providing comfort for their patients and their families.” Photo caption left to right: Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Sarah Lydon, Director of Marketing, UltraComfort America
PennDOT Honors Star of Excellence Recipients The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Yassmin Gramian, P.E. today recognized 29 PennDOT employees for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, PennDOT’s highest recognition. Two employees from PennDOT’s District 4-0, which represents Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties were among the honorees. “These employees exemplify the care and concern needed to serve the state of Pennsylvania,” Gramian said. “Each puts effective and efficient transportation services at the top of their list daily, while demonstrating a strong commitment to the agency and roughly 12 million state residents.” Gramian and other department executives honored winners Susan Williams and Leo Charney during an online ceremony. “We are pleased to recognize Susan Williams and Leo Charney as District 4-0’s Star of Excellence recipients. They are great examples of Penn DOT’s commitment to the citizens of Pennsylvania. Dedication to their team, attention to detail and fiscal responsibility are just a few reasons we are proud of Susan and Leo. We are looking forward to another successful year of projects in District 4-0 because of their hard work,” said Richard N. Roman, P.E., PennDOT Engineering District 4-0 District Executive. Ms. Williams is a Senior Project Manager in District 4-0’s Design Division and assists Consultant Designers prepare and coordinate design packages to be let by the Department. Ms. Williams currently is managing 25 projects including large complex projects on the interstate. The experience Ms. Williams holds resulted in cost savings on numerous accounts. In 2019 alone, Ms. Williams saved the District $128,000. Mr. Charney has 35 years of Design and Construction experience with the Department. Mr. Charney’s position as a Structural Control Engineer is a highly specialized position that takes a tremendous amount of education and field experience. Because of his thoroughness, designers, contractors and the traveling public are provided with a high level of confidence knowing that safety is his utmost priority when reviewing structural submissions. Each year, Mr. Charney’s cost savings total $75,000 due to his experience and efficiency. The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department’s values of service, performance and integrity. The recipients represent a variety of organizational positions, spanning from highway maintenance and driver and vehicle services workers, to traffic control specialists, communications staff and design and engineering specialists. For more information on PennDOT activities in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties visit www.penndot.gov/District4.
WVIA receives Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award® WVIA Executive Producer Ben Payavis and Producer / Director John Mikulak have been awarded by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences a 2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Award in the Human Interest – Program Feature/Segment category for the production of the VIA Short Takes episode Mark Jury… Beyond Demons. Featured as part of the WVIA short documentary series VIA Short Takes, the episode features the story of Waverly, PA photojournalist Mark Jury, who captured striking images from the frontlines of the Vietnam war that were published to great acclaim in The Vietnam Photo Book. After publishing “The Vietnam Photo Book”, veteran Mark Jury enjoyed worldwide success as a photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, but he began to suffer from undiagnosed PTSD. After decades of alcoholism, suicide attempts and madness, the piece showcases how Mark finally takes steps toward long-term treatment and a way to move past his pain. “The program honored this year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences showcases WVIA’s commitment to highlight local stories and bring them to national audiences.” Carla McCabe, President/CEO at WVIA said. “We are proud of our Emmy® winning production team that continues to produce programs that feature the dedication and professionalism that members and viewers of WVIA have grown to expect. As we expand our local output, recognition like this is a nice reminder that we are on the right path.” “Our Content team is very proud of the recognition and we are looking forward to presenting more stories of regional people in season two of VIA Short Takes coming in January 2021” said Ben Payavis, WVIA Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer. The full list of this year’s winners can be found at: https://natasmid-atlantic.org. Mark Jury… Beyond Demons is available to watch anytime online at https://www.wvia.org/tv/short-takes/
75 Years of Building a Community Today, the Chamber celebrates 75 years of economic growth in our organization and community. Since 1945, The Scranton Plan, Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), and Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE) have been the primary development team behind attracting, sustaining and growing jobs and community investment in Lackawanna County. The efforts of these three organizations helped transform Lackawanna County from a coal economy to a center of manufacturing, technology, and entrepreneurship. The Scranton Plan is the driving force behind job creation and retention in Lackawanna County by supporting business relocation and expansion, serving as a partner through the site selection process. Every five years, The Scranton Plan establishes an ambitious work plan that includes marketing, workforce and business development plans, as well as support for local entrepreneurs in Lackawanna County. SLIBCO is a non-profit industrial development organization. Its inception created a model for development agencies across the country. SLIBCO has spent 75 years constructing buildings, developing industrial, technology, and office parks, facilitating investments, and creating career opportunities. To date, SLIBCO has constructed 15 industrial parks developing more than 3,000 acres. LIFE was formed to provide financial backing for industrial development in the county and support the Chamber, SLIBCO, and community development initiatives. Watch Our Video Just what are some of the significant development efforts that have come from The Scranton Plan, SLIBCO, and LIFE? Keystone Industrial Park (1963)Stauffer Industrial Park (1967)Montage Mountain (1975)Lackawanna Station Hotel (1983)Office Park at Montage (1984)Prudential (1988)Scott Technology Park (1990)Bank of America (Formerly NatWest) (1994)Steamtown National Historic Site (1995)Radisson Lackawanna Station HotelJessup Small Business Center/Valley View Business Park (2001)Scranton Enterprise Center (2002) andThe TekRidge Center (2012)Mt. Pleasant Corporate Center (2019) We hope that next time you are driving around Lackawanna County, you’ll be excited to know a little more history about this progressive Pennsylvania region. For a full timeline of projects and to learn more about the economic development efforts of the Chamber, visit www.ScrantonPlan.com.
